MLB The Show 09: How to improve on greatness - thescoop's Blog

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MLB The Show 09: How to improve on greatness

Posted on November 16, 2008 at 04:59 PM.

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Last May I got my Playstation 3. At that point I was already trying to make the best of the only Major League baseball game available for me on that system, the lowly MLB 2k8.

I loved the idea of the new pitching, but I couldn't get over how easy hitting was and the fact I was pretty much unbeatable. Once I picked up the PS3 I got the one baseball game getting a ton of buzz, MLB The Show 08.

I was amazed. First off I thought I would never be able to go back to old style of pitching, but not only could I, I preferred The Show's pitching. Pretty much, I preferred everything about The Show to 2k8.

Well, everything but a couple of things. No game is perfect, but in a game that has presentation nailed so nicely, it was surprising that some key areas in this were missing.

One was in the bullpen. I really missed seeing the guys sitting in the pen. It is a minor thing to some, but really adds to the realism feel. In a game that gets some much right in terms of realism, it seems a shame to be missing this key factor.

Next up was no real minor league stadiums. 2k8 had some, not a enough, but some. The show really needs to get them into the game for 09. It adds to the realism again.

Also, where was the single A teams? We had AAA and AA minor league teams, but no A? 2k8 Had A minor league teams. The Show needs them and while we're at it, how about the rookie league too?

Next up we need 40 man rosters for spring training and September call ups. Spring training is a wasted option without it and I want the expanded playoff rosters.

Also, I want the waver wire options after the trading deadline as well as the Rule V draft. These things will really help add to the feel of the game and to the realism.

Added injuries and allowing players to play through some injuries would be a huge plus too. I'd love to see a pitcher trying to man up through a blister or a player being limited due to a leg injury but staying tough through the game.

Also, this season we know was the end of Yankee stadium and Shea and both were mention by the announcers as being the last season, but instead of getting a new stadium in the new season both returned to the stadium that was in its last year. We needed something new, even if it wasn't the actual new stadium. Hurt the realism in year two.

Last, where is all the presentation after I win the World Series? 2k gives you the trophy presentation, the MVP announcement. It feels far more like I've done something than the same charge the mode we get in winning the first round of the playoffs. Give me some added coverage for both the World Series championship and the LCS.

Those are just some ideas to help improve on the atmosphere of MLB The Show for this season. I hope this great game just adds to its greatness in 09.

Comments

# 1 mrnickyb @ Nov 16

I'd rather see gameplay improvements on the field then fluff like whether someone is in the bullpen. For example, when my first baseman takes a groundball to first the animation is not very good. If you've played pro spirits 5 you will see the first baseman very realistically touch the bag. In the Show he tends to just run through it.

Also, the game doesn't seem to give you the benefit of the doubt when you are wasting pitches to set up your out pitch. You shouldn't lose any confidence in a pitch if you are using it to set up something else.

They need to find a better way to deal with balls at the wall. It is very hard to make a game robbing catch since the camera angle doesn't show you the ball until it is too late. It is something that needs to be improved.(perhaps a switch to the player's perspective right at the wall looking back at the ball)

I definitely agree that there should be playable minor leagues. MVP did it several years ago. No reason for it to be absent from the Show.

# 2 thescoop @ Nov 16

Hey, gameplay needs some work, but overall I feel the gameplay is as close to dead-on as I've seen. I don't disagree with you in the least, but I added in some things I want to see to help improve the game from the atmosphere side. It isn't fluff to me or to lots of people.

Thanks for reading though and thanks for your feedback.